Stock Market & Financial Investment News

On The Fly: Analysts Downgrade SummaryToday's noteworthy downgrades include: American Eagle (AEO) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at BMO Capital...Frontier Communications (FTR) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman...JetBlue (JBLU) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman...Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) downgraded to Underperform from Outperform at CLSA...Tranzyme (TZYM) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Canaccord and to Market Perform from Outperform at BMO Capital...DryShips (DRYS) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Global Hunter...Xstrata (XSRAY) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital.

DryShips announces agreements to sell tanker fleetDryShips announced that it has entered into firm sales agreements with entities controlled by the company's Chairman and CEO, George Economou, to sell its four Suezmax tankers, Vilamoura, Lipari, Petalidi and Bordeira, for an en-bloc sales price of $245M. In addition, it has entered into agreements with entities controlled by Economou to potentially sell its six Aframax tankers, Belmar, Calida, Alicante, Mareta, Saga and Daytona. The agreements to sell the Aframax fleet are not effective until the purchaser confirms his unconditional acceptance latest by June 30. Under the terms of the firm sales agreements on the four Suezmax tankers, the purchasers will pay upfront 20% to DryShips and the balance purchase price will be due on delivery which will be between July 1 and October 31 at the company's option. Under the terms of the agreements on the six Aframax tankers, the purchasers could potentially acquire these tankers for an en-bloc sales price of $291M, as long as they confirm their unconditional acceptance by June 30. Other than the sales price, all other material terms and conditions of this potential transaction mirror the terms and conditions on the sale of the four Suezmax tankers, including a 20% upfront payment to DryShips.

American Eagle downgraded to Sell from Neutral at GoldmanGoldman Sachs downgraded American Eagle (AEO) to Sell saying it sees 29% downside risk over the next six months. Goldman believes declining mall traffic and "aggressive competition" from low cost stores puts the retailer in a multi-year period of diminishing productivity, margins, and returns. Its six-month price target for American Eagle is $12. Shares of the retailer closed yesterday up 17c to $16.92. Goldman lists Ann Inc. (ANN), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) and American Eagle as its top sell ideas in the Specialty Apparel space. Its lone Buy rated name in the group is Urban Outfitters (URBN).

American Eagle announces license agreements in Chile, PeruAmerican Eagle Outfitters (AEO) announced plans to further expand its global retail presence with a series of licensed stores throughout Chile and Peru. The company has signed a multi-year license agreement with Eurofashion Limitada, a Chilean company and division of Cencosud (CNCO). The agreement includes American Eagle Outfitters stores, which will offer the American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie assortments. The first stores are expected to open in Chile in 3Q15 and in Peru in early 2016.